'Jump' Newsletter: The 2024 jump season springs into action at Aiken Steeplechase.
'Jump' Newsletter: The 2024 jump season springs into action at Aiken Steeplechase.
Eclipse Champion Merry Maker - Tod Marks
Greetings and welcome to the 20th edition of 'Jump'.
The commencement of the 2024 jump season is upon us, unfolding amidst the scenic backdrop of the Aiken Steeplechase in Aiken, South Carolina. This season could herald a generational shift, with seasoned champion’s Snap Decision and Noah and the Ark, both now 10 years old, potentially handing over the reins to emerging talents such as Merrymaker, Awakened, and Zabeel Champion.
Yet, the familiar faces in the realms of training and ownership seem poised to continue their dominance. Leslie Young and Jack Fisher led the trainers' leaderboard last year, with Irvin S. Naylor, Riverdee Stable, and Bruton Street-US leading the pack in the ownership standings.
This year see’s the introduction of a new chapter in the storied tradition of the Virginia Gold Cup Association's racing season. The Commonwealth Cup, a Grade 1 hurdle race, is set to debut on May 4, 2024, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already anticipated Virginia Gold Cup race day. With a generous purse of $150,000, this event will attract top contenders in the world of steeplechase, competing over 2 1/8 miles and twelve fences at the beautiful Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Virginia.
This addition not only enriches the event's card, which boasts a total prize pool of $430,000 but also represents a significant enhancement to the National Steeplechase Association calendar with Grade 1 stakes races on consecutive Saturdays (May 4 and May 11),
The excitement is building as we anticipate the start of what promises to be another fabulous season.
Riders Up!
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top 3 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Aiken Preview - Aiken Kicks off NSA Season
Aiken Analysis - The Imperial Cup
Saturday’s Entries - Overnights for Aiken
“The ‘Jump newsletter’ is an absolute boon to me. Now domiciled in the UK, it keeps me updated on US jump racing. Thank you.” - Barbara Shaw (Facebook)
Aiken Kicks off NSA Season
By National Steeplechase Association | March 21, 2024
Lightning Ridge wins the Maiden at Shawan Downs © Tod Marks
By Tod Marks
The National Steeplechase Association Spring campaign gets underway on Saturday after a four-month hiatus with a six-race card worth $140,000 in South Carolina at Aiken’s showcase racecourse on Richland Avenue.
The meet is the first of 16 worth $2.6 across seven states on the NSA Spring calendar, which runs through May 18.
2024 marks the third straight year that the season will begin at the Aiken Steeplechase Association’s sparkling new facility. First run in 1930, the Aiken Races have ushered in the year since the Little Everglades in Dade City, Fla., ended its run in 2009.
A field of five is expected for the featured $35,000 Imperial Cup, a sweepstakes race for horses who have never won an open stake. Heading the lineup is Upland Flats Racing’s West Newton, who defeated a strong field in the Daniel Van Clief Memorial (a 130 ratings handicap) at Foxfield last April and concluded the campaign with a brilliant second to Snap Decision, beaten just three lengths, in the G2 Zeke Ferguson at the International Gold Cup Races. West Newton is trained by Ricky Hendriks, who also sends out Del Rio Racing’s Soviet Pimpernel. Since joining the NSA circuit in the fall of 2022, Soviet Pimpernel has made four starts, all in stakes.
Hudson River Farms, Madaket Stables, and R and K Racing’s The Insider returns after a year away from the races. A top three-year-old of 2022, the Keri Brion-trainee captured the prestigious Gladstone Stakes at Far Hills, and in a single 2023 start, won the Imperial Cup at Aiken last spring when it was contested as a stake restricted to four-year-olds.
Sharon Sheppard and Gill Johnston’s Caramelised, trained by Leslie Young, will attempt to flash the form he demonstrated when he unleashed a late rally to take the Carolina Cup novice stakes at Springdale Race Course last March.
Trainer Arch Kingsley, who campaigned 2023 Eclipse Award winner Merry Maker, sends out Hudson River Farms’ Cibolian, a winner of nearly a quarter-million-dollars on the flat, who broke his maiden over jumps at Colonial Downs last summer.
The rest of the card consists of the James Maloney training flat contest at 1 ¼ miles; the $20,000 G.H. Bostwick maiden starter/optional claiming hurdle; the $25,000 Charles Bird III handicap for horses rated at 110 or less; the $30,000 Ford Conger maiden hurdle; and $30,000 Joe Blanchard maiden hurdle for fillies and mares. All of the hurdle races are at 2 ⅛ miles. Click here for complete entries.
First race post time is 1 p.m. and you can watch all the action via live stream from the NSA website,www.nationalsteeplechase.com.
The Imperial Cup (Analysis)
By USASteeplechase
Photo Credit - AP Gouge Photography
We take a deep dive into the inaugural stakes race of the NSA season, the Imperial Cup.
The Imperial Cup $35,000 Guaranteed - Handicap Hurdle for Four Year Olds and Upward which have never won an open stakes. Hurdles 2 1/8 Miles
CIBOLIAN - Under the tutelage of Arch Kingsley, Cibolian, was good enough to mix it in group company on the level, secured his maiden victory over jumps at Colonial Downs back in July. However, his following outings at Shawan Downs and Far Hills left much to be desired. In a bid to rekindle his spark over the hurdles, he will sport blinkers for the first time today. Additionally, a return to firmer turf may well bolster his chances. Parker Hendriks gets the ride.
THE INSIDER (IRE) - Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, The Insider made a commanding stateside appearance, sweeping the $47,000 Gladstone at Far Hills in 2022. He won this race last year but it’s been a full year since he last stepped foot on a racecourse. He has been putting in promising works for Keri Brion at Fair Hill. The question now is, will he need the race?
SOVIET PIMPERNEL (IRE) - Another charge from the Gordon Elliott yard, found himself well adrift in his pair of appearances last season, finishing a cumulative 100 lengths behind the talented Zabeel Champion. A considerable upturn in form will be needed if he is to feature in this race.
WEST NEWTON (GB) - Clinched a brace of victories in the early stages of last year before facing a stern test amongst the elite in Saratoga's Grade 1 contests. Demonstrated marked improvement by splitting Snap Decision and Awakened in last October. He’s carrying top weight but in the capable hands of Harrison Beswick, he emerges as a real threat to win this.
CARAMELISED (GB) - Made a successful US debut by clinching the Carolina Cup last April, showing promise with a strong finish. His form dipped mid-season, but he bounced back to secure fourth in the same race as West Newton at Great Meadow. With a proven ability to perform fresh and being trained by last year's top trainer, Leslie Young, he poses a significant danger.
From the horses mouth….
Parker Hendricks on CIBOLIAN - “We are hoping for a nice run from Cibolian on Saturday. It’s a step up in class, but he is coming in to it fresh and Arch has added blinkers which might bring out some improvement. We have some distance to catch up on some of the others, but we’re hoping our guy can run well!
Harrison Beswick on WEST NEWTON (GB) - “I haven’t sat on him since I’ve been back but Ricky assures me he’s in top nick. He’s got course form around Aiken. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s one of the toughest horses I’ve ever sat on. Top of the weights but I’m not too worried about that and I think he’ll put in a very good performance.
Keri Brion on THE INSIDER (IRE) - Training well and a course winner. Obviously coming off the layoff but he’s fit and well and get’s in at a nice weight.”
SELECTIONS
1. WEST NEWTON (GB) 2. THE INSIDER (IRE) 3. CARAMELISED (GB)
Overnights for Aiken
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